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One of the most common questions riders ask is, "What does it mean to put your legs on the horse when gaiting?" or "How do I drive my horse into the bridle?" Many riders mistakenly think this means squeezing with their thighs or knees, but that’s not the case. Proper leg use in gait work is about engaging the horse’s hind end to create collection and impulsion.
How to Apply Your Legs for Gaiting
When working a gaited horse, you want to encourage the horse’s hind end to step underneath him more, helping him collect. To do this effectively, follow these steps:
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Use Your Heels and Calves: Instead of squeezing with your thighs, use the bottom of your heel and your calf to wrap around the horse’s sides gently.
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Apply and Release: The key is to apply pressure when asking for more impulsion and release when the horse responds correctly. This sequence of asking and relaxing helps the horse understand when to drive forward.
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Avoid Constant Pressure: Holding constant pressure with your legs can cause the horse to ignore the cue. Instead, make your leg aids clear and intentional.
The Role of Relaxation in Gait Work
Once your horse is moving correctly in its gait, relaxation is crucial. A well-trained gaited horse will respond to lighter aids over time. A pro tip for advanced riders is learning how to adjust their seat and leg position for better engagement.
Adjusting Your Stirrups for Gait Work
Many riders are familiar with riding shorter stirrups for obstacles, trails, or colt starting. However, for gaiting, longer stirrups allow for a more extended leg position, which enhances the rider’s ability to engage the horse’s movement effectively.
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Straight Leg Position: A longer stirrup length allows your leg to be straighter, creating a more refined connection with the horse.
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Bringing the Knees Back: The ability to relax your hips moves your knees back, aligning your legs in an optimal position for forward impulsion.
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Using Leg Position to Influence Collection: The further back your legs are from the horse’s drive line (just behind the girth), the more forward impulsion you create. This increases the horse’s collection and overall energy in the gait.
Mastering Leg Aids for Competitive Gaiting
Understanding and applying these principles can make a significant difference in how well your horse moves. Proper leg use will help you refine your horse’s gait and improve your overall riding experience. This technique is what top gaited riders use to prepare for high-level competitions, including national championships.